Beautiful souvenir deck by Philibert, c.1960, showing color photographic views of Paris. Each card has superimposed over the photograph in gold gilt, both the name of the building, monument, etc. depicted, and the name and inclusive dates of a famous person from French history. For example, the Ace of Hearts has a photograph of Notre Dame, but the name and dates underneath the identification of the building are "A.-L. Breguet, 1747-1823." I am not aware of any connection between Breguet, the founder of a famous clock company that bears his name, and Notre Dame Cathedral, but perhaps there is a connection between the two that would be apparent to me, if I had a better knowledge of French history.

The deck has 52 cards, plus 2 Jokers, plus a card with a hole cut out of it that announces the deck and sits inside the box. Each card has suit symbols in all four corners, and indices in three corners; the upper right corner has a larger suit symbol and no number or court card designation. The court designations are both English (K,Q,J) and French (R,D,V). The faces of each card are rimmed in gold gilt. The backs of the cards have the letters of the word "Paris" in black and gold gilt, set against what appears to be an ancient explorer ship in blue. The insert card says the cards are "washable" but frankly, I would be reluctant to attempt it. The cards are a small bridge size (87mm x 56mm), and come in the original plastic box rimmed with a gold cardboard insert. The stock is thick and the printing is gorgeous, as one would expect of a Philibert deck.

The cards are in excellent condition, "as new" or very nearly so. The box is also in excellent condition, slightly cloudy and with wear, but without cracks, notable scratches or other issues.

There is another deck of these cards for sale in this shop with red backs that has 2 Nines of Hearts and no Nine of Spades and is without a box (T0000132).